Mountain ride



May 22, 1928. v

w. G. SHAFER MOUNTAIN RIDE Original Filed May 18, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 P l l/ll Fig 6 INVENTOR.

W G. SHAFEH ATTORNEY.

I Patented May 2 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. SHAFER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MOU TAIN RIDE.

Application filed May 18, 1825, Serial No. 30,948. Renewed April 16, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in amusement apparatuses, and the various parts associated therewith, as well as the arrangement and Construction of said parts,

and more particularly to an apparatus, or

a collection of apparatuses so fashioned and constructed as to simulate a mountain ride.

It accordingly is an object of my invention to provide a novel form of apparatus so fashioned and constructed as to simulate a rugged mountain scene, a pathway being associated therewith, which pathway leads in and about said scene, and through one or more darkened tunnels, said tunnels being equipped with mechanism for simulating a violent wind, sets of passengencarrying devices'being used said pathway and through said tunnels, said passengers being subjected to undulating movements of varying intensity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novelform of power-driven or alternatively gravity-operated carriages to be used in connection with my novel form of apparatus, said carriages being equipped with sets of passenger-carrying devices so associated with said carriages that all strains and friction caused by the movement of the passengers on said devices will be borne by the wheels of said carriages.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel form of mechanism associ ated'with my improved amusement apparatus in which one or more passenger-carrying vehicles are adapted to be operated on sets of undulating lower-tracks, said mechanism being preferably, though not necessarily, positioned out of sight, there being sets of upper undulating tracks associated with said mechanism in such a manner that all strains and friction caused by the movements of the passengers positioned on devices above said mechanism, will be borne only by the wheels of said mechanism, at least one of said devices being equipped with mechanism whereby the movement of said vehicles may be controlled. ;It isalso within the province of my invention to subject the passengers conveyed in, about, and through my novel form of apparatus to certain novel sensations, which, so far as I am aware, have heretofore never been contemplated, namely, the sensations felt by persons riding a horse, for example, when said horse moving slowly, at a pace,

to convey passengers along galloping, or in a race, said passengers being also sub ected to the sensation of passing up and down a rugged mountain scene, as well as through a mountain tunnel, where said passengers are subjected to the effect of a violent wind storm.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel form of apparatus, and parts thereof, which are simple in character, easy and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, thoroughly reliable, efiicient, and'entirelysafe in operation, durable, not easy 'to get out of order, composed of a minimum number of parts, and in which losses of power, due to friction and strains, will be reduced to a minimum.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Re erence is had to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference charact'ers denote similar arts. In the drawings,

Fig.' 1 is a perspective view of my improved apparatus, the operating mechanism therefor being omitted,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of my apparatus showing the tunnel broken away to illustrate the internal construction,

Fig 3 is a plan view of one form of my improved operating mechanism for conveying the passenger carrying devices about the apparatus,

7 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing the undulating tracks, and the manner in which the operating mechanism is associated therewith,

,Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of Fig. 4,

Fig.6 is a fragmentary detail view of the brake operating mechanism,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan'view of an alternativeform of operating mechanism, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view of the manner in which the operating mechanismv may be controlled to apply power thereto.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view of the mounting'of the roller device shown in Fig. 5 and e p I I Fig. 10 is a similar View of a modification.

Describing my invention more in detail, my improved apparatuscomprises a rugged mountain scene M, substantially as depicted in Fig. 1, but it is clear that said scene may be changed in many ways without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Preferably, one or more of the mountains associated with my novel form of apparatus may be hollowed out, as shown in Fig. 2, to simulate one or more mountain tunnels, said tunnels in practise being darkened, and equipped with a number of electric fans or blowers VJ, or other mechanism forproducing wind is said tunnels.

It is my purpose to equip the simulated mountain scene M with. a pathway P, that winds around and about said mountain scene, in any desired manner, and through one or more of said tunnels as depicted in Fig. 2, said pathway being provided with one or more slots S conforming to the contour of said path, and in which the vertical men'ibers 1 carrying passenger-carrying devices T) of any preferred type are adapted to be conveyed along said pathway. 7

It will be obvious, that the pathway P, as well as the various parts forming my improved apparatus, may be constructed of any material found desirable. The pathway P is equipped on its under side, and in close proximity with the slots S, with an upper undulating track T, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 4t, and the sub-structure underneath said pathway is also equipped with a pair of similar tracks T, the undulations of which correspond with the undulations of the track T.

Of course, the number and character of the undulations in the tracks T and T may be any that in practice may be suggested; but it is preferred that the tracks positioned in the tunnelsbe equipped with undulations of, such an amplitude that a very rough ride is provided for the passengers as they are conveyed therethrough.

The tracks T and T may of course be mounted in any preferred manner, so long as said mounting insures the safety of the passengers enjoying the ride. Associated with the tracks ,T and T is a set of carriages C of any preferred number, and there may be sets of such carriages associated. with each of the slots S. On each of said carriages is mounted, in the manner presently to be described, a series of passenger-carrying devices D of any preferred type or construction, by means of vertical members 1, of any desired configuration, and constructed of any suitable material that will insure the safety of the passengers. I

As the passengers are carried about on my apparatus, they are continually subjected to shocks and strains of travel, and the apparatus is also subjected to continual strains and friction caused by themovement of the passengers themselves on the devices D. It

accordingly is necessary to provide an ap paratus which will not only properly resist such stresses and strains, but will also provide for reducing to a minimum the power losses caused by said friction. words, in my apparatus it is my purpose to obviate friction as much as possible.

In other ing from said vertical member a vvany con:

vcnient angle, as shown in Fig. 5. A complementary member 2, of substantially the same construction is associated in" any preferred manner with the vertical member 1, suitablejbolts or other fastening means, not shown,being provided to secure the same together and to thestructure of the carriage C. If preferred: however, the passengersupporting structure may be cast or other wise formed from a single integral structure secured to the carriage C in "any desired manner. s

As will be observed from F 5, the track T is positioned above and directly midway between the tracks T. This feature 'obv ously provides for a rigidly held structure, it being almost impossible to displace the same from said tracks. To insure that the carriage C be continually held in position in relation to said tracks, and for the purpose of reducing friction losses to a'minimum I equip the vertical members Iwith one ormore, grooved rollers R, mounted in any suitable manner onsaidcmembers, said rollers, if desired, beingv provided with any form of anti-friction bearings. V

To be absolutely certain that the rollers R will not accidentally leave the tracks T, I may equip the members 1 and 2 with any desirable form of resilient or buffer means, such as stout springs 13, mounted as shown, and holding the shaft of the roller E in resilient relation with the framework, as shown in Figs, 5 and 9, to hold therollers to the track T. This feature however isoptional, for it is believedv that such resilient or buffer means is not absolutely essential. It may also be stated that it is withinthe province of my invention to. provide more than one upper track, together with appropriate changes in the member 1, with, if preferred, an increase in the number of rollers or grooved pulleys Such a modification is shown in Fig. 10, in which apair of rollers R, similar to the roller R, are used, said rollers enacting withthe traclrs T, associated in any preferred manner with the lower portionof the pathway P, springs 13 being provided within the framework 2 to press against the shaft of said rollers to hold them in resilient relationwith said tracks As will be evident from Fig. 5, no matter What position the passenger on the device D may take, or whatever his movements, the

use

of the carriage C, insuring the safety of the passengers, as well as the security of the apparatus and the reduction of friction lossesto a minimum. s

The specific manner and means of applying power to the carriage C is immaterial. In the drawings I have shown the carriage C equipped with an electric motor 3, suit-v ably controlled by a hand lever 4, mounted on the foremost passenger-carrying device D, and operated by the operator thereon. This form of control may be any that in practise may be suggested, and, other forms may be substituted therefor.

The shaft of the motor 3 may operate the frontjwheels of the carriage C, or, as shown, said shaft may be extended to the rear wheels and may actuate them through some conventional form of differential gearing 5 or other means, or a chain drive may be substituted therefor. In fact, any form of motor, either electrical or otherwise, may be mounted on the carriage C to provide power for moving said carriage,'it being within the province of my invention to use internal combustion engines, compressed air motors, or indeed any preferred type of motive power.

In addition to the hand control 4, I may equip the foremost passenger-carrying device D with any suitable brake control mechanism through any desired form of hand lever 6, the movement of which is conveyed by any suitable means, such as a cable or chain 7, operating upon suitable rollers or pulleys 8, to the brakes 9 on the rear wheels, or indeed on the front Wheels, or both, of the carriage C. Any-preferred form of brake may be used. "When sets of carriages C are usedinstead of one only, said carriages are connected together by means of any desired type of pin, universal, or other flexible joints 11, positioned preferably on each end of a rigid connecting element 10, said flexible joints providing for proper movement as the carriages are moved up and down on the undulations and on curves of the pathway P.

In Fig. 3 I have shown an alternative form of operating mechanism or carriage C, in which a pair of electric motors 3 is used to operate said carriage. through a chain or other drive 12, connecting the shafts of the n'iotors with the axles of both sets of wheels of said carriage. It will of course he distinctly understood that the arrangement and mechanism for operating the carriages may be any that in practise may be preferred.

The operation of my improved apparatus should now be clear. The devices D being populated with passengers, the individual on the foremost device will actuate the hand lever 4, which causesthe electric motor 3 or motors 3 tobecome energized, causing the carriages-to be set in motion. Said carriages will cause the devices D to be moved forwardly along the pathway P, and in and around and through the mountain scene, the shape of the tracks causing said devices to be subjected to an undulating movement of varying intensity, imitating closely the trot or gallop of an animal; and, depending upon that part of the tracks upon which the devicesare positioned, an even pace, or a rapid one, or a rough road.

' As thepassengers are conveyed along the level stretches a race may be imitated, and of course, power must be applied to the carriages, as will also be the case whensaid devices are beingconveyed up the mountain. But in descending said mountain, the power is shut off, and the passengers are carried down by gravity. Should it be desired at any time, for one reason or another, either to check or stop the movement of the carriages,all that is necessary to do is for the operator to operate the hand lever 6, which actuates the brakes, or the lever 4 to shut off the power, or both.

As the passengers are carried through the tunnel, they are subjected not only toa very rough ride by reason of the abrupt amplitude of the tracks, but they are treated to the action of the wind producing elements W in said tunuel,enjoying a sensation never heretofore produced, in so far as I am aware. While I have thus described'my invention with greatparticularity, it will be clear that the same may be modified throughout a wide range. Itherefore do not propose to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, but reservethe right in practice to make any and all modifications thereof thatfall within the scope of the ap pended claims.

in, about, and through said apparatus, and

mechanism associated with said devices for reducing to a minimum all the effects of lateral, torsional and vertical strains, substantially as described.

2. In a mountainride, in combination, sets of apparatus fashioned to simulate a rugged mountain scene, including a mountain pass, at least one part ofsaid apparatus being hollow to simulate a mountain tunnel, means associated with said tunnel adapted to simulate the action of a Windstorm, a path assolOz'i ciated with, and leading in and about in devious ways around said apparatus, through said tunnel, and said pass, sets of passengercarrying devices adapted to be moved on said path, means associated with said path and said devices for producing an undulating movement of said devices, said movement being especially accentuated while said devices are conveyed through said tunnel, and mechanism associated with said means for operating said devices.

An amusement apparatus in which passengers are adapted to be carried in, about, and through sets of apparatus so fashioned as to simulate a rugged mountain scene, including a mountain tunnel, said passengers being subjected to selective sensations simulating the movements of'an animal and a Windstorm, and sets of appliances associated with said apparatus for eliminating the effect of strains in all directions, substantially as described.

4:. An amusement apparatus fashioned to simulate rugged mountain scenery, including a mountain pass anda mountain tunnel, in combination, one or more passengencarrying devices associated with said apparatus, power-actuating means associated with said devices, mechanism for controlling said power-actuating means, and means, invisible to said passengers, associated with said apparatus and said devices whereby said devices may be subjected to undulating move ments of varying intensity in certain parts of said apparatus, said means having associated therewith a set of devices for resisting all lateral, torsional and vertical strains, substantially as described.

5. An amusement apparatus including a mountain pass and tunnel scene in which passenger-carrying devices, constructed to simulate one or more diiferentanimal-s, are subjected to undulating movements solely by means of a set of tracks, positioned out of sight, and thus ail'ording an element of surprise, said tracks also functioning to cause said devices to simulate the trot slow or rapid pace and'gallop of said animals, as said devices are moved inand aboutsaid apparatus,

will be conveyed to and be borne by the wheels associated with said carriages.

.7. Ina carriage adapted for use inconnection with an amusement apparatus, in combination, sets of resiliently mounted passenger-carrying devices associated with said carriage, brake and power control mechanism associated with one of said passengercarrying devices and said carriage, and means associated With sald carriage whereby the friction generated by said devices may be conveyed directly to the wheels of said carriage. v a

8. In an amusement apparatus, in combination, a pair of underneath tracks, said tracks being provided with undulations of varying amplitude, an overhead track positioned directly above the middle of said underneath tracks, said. overhead track being provided with undulations of an ampli tude similar to those of said underneath tracks, a carriage adapted to be operated on and in connection with said tracks, one or more passenger-carrying supports rigidly mounted on said carriage, 'one or more grooved pulleys associated with said supports and coacting with said overhead track, and passenger-carrying devices associated with said supports.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM G. SHAFER. 

